Machine for cutting strip material for shoes



Nov. 1,1938. H. B. ur-mzm 2,134,949

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Fiied June '1, 193a 1o Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 1, 1938. H. B. LUPIEN 2,134,949

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1936 10 SheetS Sheet 2 No v.- 1, 1938. H. B. LUPIEN 2,134,949

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed Junel, 1936 1.0 sheets-sheet 3 W] wk MM.

I m g I H. B. LUPIEN Nov. 1, 1938.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1936 l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 J7 N M w W ///W/////) @w W Y V x i i ilgi i I: Q I

I A w a? 41!! N [i1] I in Q 1 L x mg Q :"n I O I" flLrTx/er'p ma J/AW/ w yfilm e 1 M3 M ykfl NOV. 1, 1938. H, LUPlEN 2,134,949

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 1, 1938. B. LUPIEN 2,134,949

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1936 l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 .101, lrIx/zrfimr: fi w ag/v.

H. B. LUPIEN Nov. 1, 1938.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jun 1, 1956 WMN Nov. 1, 1938. H. B. LUPIEN MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1956 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 nl un nun. 4

Nov. 1, 1938. H. B. LUPIEN MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1936 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Nov. 1, 1938. H. B. LUPIEN MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Filed June 1, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 1o 1 rpqmr: 1 i /W Patented Nov. 1, 1938 a 2,134,949.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE MACHINE FOR CUTTING STRIP MATERIAL FOR SHOES Henry B. Lupien, Manchester, N. H., assignor to North American Holding Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 1, 1936, Serial No. 82,781 12 Claims. (01.164-42) Thisinventionrelates toamachineforautomati- 13 is a section O the line f cally cutting measured lengths of strip material, F 1

such for example as braided, woven or the like g- 14 s n enlarged Section 1 the line strands used in the manufacture of footwear. l4|4 of Fig. 9 j i a V v The principal object of the invention is to pro- Fig. 15 is an elevation of the socket wrench for 5 vide a machine which automatically and interuse in adjusting t Strip feeding mechanism;

mittently advances one end of a strip of mate- 6 is a section on the line l6-l6 of Fig.

rial a predetermined distance beyond a cutting and j 1 device and which automatically and intermitig. 17 is a section on the line ll-Il of tently actuates the cutting device to cut from the 0 end of the strip the segment which has been fed. The embodiment Of y inventien illustrated ()ther objects of the invention are to provide a n F gs. 1 t0 8 o p s a bed plate 2 (Figsmachine which will automatically feed and .cut 2 and 5) screwed to the top of the housing frame on" measured or predetermined lengths of strip 72 Which is fastened in y Suitable manner material; to provide a simple and efiicient means a base pla 13 6 a d This housing l5 for accurately and quickly adjusting the feeding frame encloses the motor 29 (Fig. 4) and most mechanism so that different lengths of material fthe op t pa ts of t ma in may be fedand cut ofi; and to provide a' machine S S wn in F g 6 and 7 the d plate 52 wherein the controls for the motor means are has an aperture 56 into which the adjo rendered inoperative until adjustments have been p r pher es of the feed roll I5 and the pi'es 11 20 completed. 7 l6 extend. Between one end of this aperture 56 Further objects relate to the construction and and the adjacent end of the bed plate an upwardly mode of operation and will be apparent from a bent deflecting lip 51 is formed from the material consideration of the following description and; of the bed plate. A lower knife blade I! (Figs.

accompanying drawings which exemplify differ- 1 and 6) is firmly secured to the frame near the 25 out embodiments of the invention chosen for the upturned end of the lip 51. A downwardly inpurposes of illustration. 'clined chute I9 is attached to the frame on the In the drawings: i opposite side of the lower knife blade from the! Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodylip 51. a V p ing this invention; The elongate strip of tape or webbing I2 is sup- 3 Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown plied from a roll [0 thereof (Figs. 1,. 2 and 4) in Fig. 1; which is loosely mounted for rotation about the Fig. 3 is an elevation with parts brokenaway horizontal supporting spindle ll carried by the of a detail of the tape feeding mechanism; upstanding bracket H which is secured to the Fig. 4 is a side'elevation'with parts broken frame of the machine. The roll lilisheld in posie 3 away and shown in section of the machine shown tion. laterally on this supporting spindle by two in Figs. 1 and 2; spiders 6B and 69 (Fig. 1) each formed'with an Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the bed plate of apertured hub mounted on the spindle II and the machine; provided with a set screw 70 by means of which 40 Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 66 of each spider is removably and adjustably held in 40 Fig. 1; V 7 position on the spindle. The bracket H also Fig. 7 is a section on line of Fig. 6; carries horizontal tension and guide rods l3, said Fig. 8 is a partial section on the line 8-8 of rods being substantially parallel toand of grad- Fig. l; edlydiminishing elevations relative to the sup- Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a machine of porting spindle H. 45 modified construction; A guide roller I4 (Figs. 2 and 4) is mounted Fig. 10 is a plan view, with parts broken away upon the bed plate between the guide rods l3 and shown in section, of the machine shown in and the adjacent end of the aperture 56. By Fig. 9. means of set screws 8| (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) two V Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation, on a angular guid are secured to the upper Sllr- 50 reduced scale, of an end portion of the modified face of the bed p a Heal the end f the p machine, showing the power control device and ture 56 toward. the guide roller l4, one of said the method of adjusting the feeding mechanism; guides adjacent each side of said aperture para1-.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section on the line I2-|2 lel thereto and extending from the end of the of Fig. 10; aperture toward the guide roller. The set screws 55 8| pass through elongate slots in the guides 58, said slots extending in a direction substantially at right angles from the sides of the aperture so that the distance between the inner faces of the guides may be varied by loosening the set screws and sliding the guides in the direction of the elongate slots. Each guide is provided with an overhanging lip 80 which extends from the top of the inner face thereof substantially parallel to the bed plate.

A sheet metal arch 59 (Figs. 1 and 6) is se a; fixed fulcrum 65 on a bracket forming part of cured to the bed plate transversely of and directly above the deflecting lip 51, the upper edge of the lip and the middle portion of the arch cooperating to form a longitudinal slot.

To arrange the strip of material in readiness for operation of the machine the outer or free end of the strip I2 is threaded downwardly from I the roll I0 between the guide rods I3 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4), under the guide roller I4, between the inner faces and beneath the overhanging lips of the guides 58, between the peripheries of the feed roll I5 and the presser roll l6 (Fig.6), through the slot formed by the deflecting lip 51 and the arch59 and finally over the lower knife blade H, The inner faces and the overhanging lips of the guides 58 function to hold the strip from both lateral and vertical displacement'and the deflecting lip 57 cooperates with the arch 59 to direct the end of the strip above and beyond the lower knife blade l1.

The presser roll l6 (Figs. 6'and 7) is rotatably mounted upon a spindle 49 carried by a yoke slide slidable vertically in ways provided in thebracket 5! which is screwed to the top of the bed plate 52 bridging the aperture 56. The top of the'bracket 5| is provided with a threaded aperture within which is mounted an abutment screw 53 the lower portion'of which is of reduced diameter. A flanged thimble 54 is mounted around the reduced lower portion of the screw 53 and a coil spring is mounted around the thimble, its upper end abutting the flange of the thimble (Fig. 7) and its lower end abutting the topof the yoke slide 50. This coil spring cooperates with the screw. 53 to yieldingly press the periphery of the presser roll 16 downwardly against the top side of the strip l2 thereby holding the bottom side of the strip in frictional engagement with the periphery of the feed roll l5 (Figs. 6 and 7) said periphery of the feed roll being preferably knurled as indicated .in Figs. 6 and 8.. By adjustment of the screw 53 the downward pressure exerted by the presser roll may be varied.

A hand lever (Fig. 7) is fulcrumed at 6| on the bracket 5| and one end of the lever is pivotally connected to the slide 50. By pressing the handle of the lever downwardly the slide 50 is raised against the pressure of the spring 55 providing a space between the peripheries of the presser roll I6 and the feed roll l5 and thereby permitting the end of the tape l2 to he passed between the peripheries of these rolls in threading the machine prior to operation.

The shaft 20 (Figs. 7 and 8) is rotatably supported within the fixed bearing sleeve 2|. A cylindrical cam 22 is fixedly mounted upon one end of the shaft 20 and this cam has a hub extension 23 which is rotatably supported upon the periphery of the bearing sleeve 2|. To the hub extension 23 a worm gear 24 (Figs. '7 and 8) is fixed and this worm gear is continuously driven in one direction by the intermeshing worm 25 (Figs. 4 and '7) fixed on one end of the shaft 26 which is journaled in bearings supported by the housing frame 12. The other end of the shaft 26 is connected by a universal joint coupling 21 with the armature shaft 28 of the electric motor 29. Thus the motor continuously rotates the cylindrical cam 22 at a uniform speed in one direction. a

:A cam groove (Figs. 7 and 8) is provided in the periphery of the cylindrical cam 22.

A bell crank 3| (Figs. 1 and 2) is mounted on the frame of the machine. The upper knife blade l8 (Figs. 1 and 6) is fixed to the upper arm of the bell crank and the follower roll 30 (Figs. 1 and 7) is rotatably mounted on the lower arm of the bell crank. The bell crank is mounted so that the upper knife blade l8 extends in a plane parallel to and in engaging position with one edge of the lower knife blade I 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 and so that the follower roll 30 extends into the cam groove 85 as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. As

shownin Figs. 1 and 2 the knife carrying arm of the bell crank is provided at its extremity with a truck or roll 66 which rides upon a guide rail 61 forming part of the frame of the machine, said roll and guide railv cooperating to hold the upper knife blade IBagainst the edge of the lower knife blade 11 during allpositions of the bell crank. As the cylindricalcam 22 revolves the follower roll riding'in the cam groove intermittently reciprocates or vibrates the bell crank 3| back and forth about its fulcrum 65 thereby intermittently lowering the outer end of the upper knife blade l8 into full engagement with the edge of the lower knife blade I! and raising the outer end of the upper knife blade out of engagement with the edge of the lower knife blade. The path of the cam groove is preferably arranged so that during approximately one half of each revolution of the cylindrical cam the outer end of the upper knife blade is held elevated and at rest providing a space between the edges of the upper and lower knife blades adjacent the entire width of the upturned lip 51 through which the strip may be fed without contacting the upper knife blade, as shown in Fig. 1.

The feed roll I5 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 20 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) for free rotation about said shaft. This feed roll I5 is intermittently rotated a certain number of degrees in one direction by the continuously rotating cylindrical cam 22 through certain connecting members hereinafter described. r

A wrist pin 32 (Figs. 4, '7 and 8) pivotally connects one end of a link 33 to the outer end of the cylindrical cam 22. The other end of the link 33 is pivotally connected to an arm 34 which is fixed radially to one end of the transverse shaft 35 (Figs. 4 and 8) journaled for axial rotation in bearings supported by the base plate 13 of the machine. Fixed radially to the other end of the transverse shaft 35 is another arm 36 (Fig. 8), including as a rigid part thereof a rectangular plate portion 31 (Figs. 8, 4 and 6). A sleeve 38 (Figsj8, 4 and 6) is slidably mounted on the plate 31 and is held at any desired radial distance from the axis of the shaft 35 by means of the adjustable clamping screw 40 (Figs. 6 and 8) which is threa dedly mounted within an interiorly threaded stud 39. The inner end of the clamping screw 40 abuts the outer surface of the plate 37. By loosening the clamping screw 40 and sliding the sleeve 38 longitudinally along the plate 31 the radius of the are described by the sleeve 38 about the axis of the shaft 35 during rotation thereof may be varied.

One end of the link 4I (Figs. 6 and 8) is pivotally connected by the stud 39 to the sleeve 38 and the opposite end'of said link is pivotally connected at 42 to a rack 43 which is slidable back and forth horizontally in ways provided on the frame of the machine.

The top side of the rack 43 is provided with gear teeth 44 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) meshing with a pinion 45 which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 20 for free rotation about said shaft. This pinion 45 has compounded with it a flange 46 (Figs. 3,6 and 7) carrying three pawls 41 which are held in engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 48 by springs 49 mounted on the flange 46 (Fig. 3). The ratchet wheel 48 is secured tothe feed roll I5 (Fig. '7) and is loosely mounted upon the shaft 20 for free rotation with the feed roll I5 about said shaft.

As the motor continuously rotates the cam 22 the link 33 is thereby reciprocated back and forth and the link 33 continuously rotates the shaft 35 back and forth a certain number of degrees about its axis and this shaft 35 in turn rotates the plate 31 and the attached sleeve 38 back and forth a like number of degrees about the axis of the shaft 35. This rotation of the plate 31 and the sleeve 38 reciprocates the link 4! back and forth and this link 4! in turn reciprocates the attached rack 43 back and forth horizontally in its Ways. This reciprocating movement of the rack 43'causes the pinion 45 to rotate about the shaft 20 a certain number of degrees first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. During rotation of the pinion in one direction the pawls 41 operatively engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 48 and cause it and the attached feed roll 'I5 to rotate about the shaft 23 a predetermined distance, thereby advancing the strip I2, which is yieldably engaged by the periphery of the feed roll I5, a predetermined distance. During rotation of the pinion in the opposite direction the pawls 41 slide over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 48 and no rotary movement is imparted to either the ratchet wheel or the feed roll. A' stationary spring yoke 63 (Figs. 6 and 8) is provided having a base portion firmly secured and held by screws 64 (Fig. 8) This yoke yieldingly grips the sides of the feed roll l5 and prevents overrunning of the feed roll.

It is thus apparent that the feed roll I5 is rotated a predetermined distance and the strip I2 is advanced a predetermined distance during substantially one half of each revolution of the cam 22 and during the balance of each revolution of the cam the feed roll and the strip remain sta-' tionary.

The path of the cam groove 85 and the position of the pivotal connection 32 between the end of the cam and the link 33 are arranged so that the outer portion of the upper knife blade I8 is out of engagement with the outer portion of the lower knife blade Il during the interval of each revolution of the cam 22 when the strip I2 is being advanced thereby providing a space between upper and lower knife blades through which the strip may be freely fed during said interval of cam revolution.

As shown in Fig. 8 a port I4 is provided in the housing 12 opposite the plate 31 to allow access to the clamping screw 40 for varying the degrees of rotation of the feed roll I5 and for thereby varying the distance the end of the strip I2 is advanced between and beyond the knife blades I1 and I8 during each revolution of the cam.

As shown in Fig. 6 the metallic arch 59 which spans the path of the strip I2 prevents the strip from curling upwardly into a position behind the upper knife blade I8 as the strip is advanced.

From the foregoing description it will be appar ent that an operator is required only to adjust the clamping screw 40 for the length of segments desired, and to maintain a supply of stripmaterial in the roll I0. The machine automatically and intermittently feeds the end of the strip between and beyond the knife blades the desired distance, and automatically 'and intermittently cuts off the measured segments each of which is deposited by gravity upon the chute I9 whence it slides upon an adjacent work bench or into a convenient container.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 to 17 comprises a base IOI (Figs. 9, 13 and 16) adapted to be supported on a bench, table or stand, and a housing I02 having a flanged periphery which tightly fits about a peripheral shoulder formed along the margin of the base. An upwardly and rearwardly extending arm I04 (Figs. 9, l and 13) is rigidly secured to a side wall I of the housing by screws or bolts I05 and this arm supports a suitable supply of strip material I08 which is drawn therefrom by a feeding mechanism, designated by the numeral IIO (Fig. and fed to the severing means or cutters, designated by the ,numeral I I2 (Figs. 9 and 10).

The supply comprises a roll or spool I I 4 (Fig. 9) mounted on a sleeve II5 rotatable on a spindle H6 which is rigidly secured to the end of the arm I04, the outer end of the spindle being threaded to receive a thumb nut IIB which engages the outer end of the sleeve H5; J A spring I20 is interposed between the arm I04 and a washer I2! is disposed against the outer face of the inner flange of the spool H4 and a collar I22 engages/the outer face of the flange on the opposite end of the spool, the collar I22 carrying a set screw I23 by means of which the collar may be locked to the sleeve H5 so that the thumb nut II8 may be adjusted to urge the spool H4 inwardly toward the arm I04. In this manner'the spring I20 is effective yieldingly to restrain rotation of the spool, and by manipulating the nut I I8 the action of the spring I20 on the'spool may be varied as desired. A plurality of guiding and tensioning bars I25 are secured to the arm I04 between the housing I02 and the spool H4, these bars being effective to smooth out strip material being drawn from the supply, in addition to their guiding and tensioning functions.

. Referring to Figs. 10,13, 14, and 16, the feeding mechanism comprises an intermittently driven feed roll I which is free to rotate on a shaft I3I rotatably supported by an upstanding bracket I33 (Fig. 14) secured to the base. The upper part of the feed roll projects through an opening I32 (Fig. 16) formed in the top wall I34 of the housing so that its periphery is in substantially the same horizontal plane'as the top of the housing. If desired, the periphery of the feed roll may be knurled or otherwise roughened to increase its frictional grip. A presser roll I35, cooperating with the fixed feed roll I30, is mounted on a spindle I36 carried by the free end of the arm I38 which is shaped to form a yoke. The arm I38 is pivotally mounted at its opposite end on the top wall I34 of the housing and is likewise bifurcated toform a yoke for supporting a spindle I4I which rotatably supports a guide roll I42 and pivotally connects the arm I38 with a pair of upstanding lugs I43 and I44 (Fig. 10) integral presser roll I may be provided with a rubber tire, I46 (Figs. 13 and 16) or other means effective to produce an increased frictional grip on the strip material. The arm I38 is formed with a laterally projecting finger I (Figs. 10 and 17) adjacent to its free end and this finger isprovided with a slot I48 which receives a latch device I58, comprising a stem I5I pivotally connected to a boss I52 integral with the'top wall of the housing .(Fig. 17). The lower end of the stem I5I is threaded to receive a stop nut I 54 and a locking nut I55 and its upper part carries a spring I51 which acts against a washer I58 arranged to engage the margins of the slot I48 yieldingly to oppose upward movement of the arm I38. By turning the nuts I54 and 555 in one direction or another, the arm I38 may be held in different positions of adjustment by the latch I 58' and, when desired, the latch may quickly be released merely by swinging the stem I5I out of the slot I48 to a position wherein the washer I58 is clear of the finger I45, in which case the arm I38 is free to be swung upwardly so that the presser roll I35 is moved out of position relative to the fixed roll I38.

Between its ends the arm I38 is formed with'a transverse slot I68 (Figs. 12 and 16) which accommodates a screw shaft I82 rotatablymounted in upstanding lugs I84 and I integral with the top wall of the housing. The screw shaft I82 is provided with right-end threads I 65 along its inner end and with left-hand threads I61 along itscentral portion (Fig. 12) the outer end of the shaft being provided with a thumb piece iSB by means of which it may be rotated. The threads I88 and IE1 carry guide members I18 and HI, respectively, the guiding member I18 having an upstanding inner face I12, the front end of which is parallel to the corresponding inner face I13 of the guiding member i1I. The rear ends of the guiding members diverge and terminate at points adjacent to the ends of the guide roll I42, as shown in Fig. 10. The guiding members are formed with upstanding fingers I14 and I15 which project above the arm I38 and terminate in inwardly directed ends in vertical alignment with the parallel faces I12 and I13 of the guide members, thus providing a gauge which indicates the width of the path defined by the inner faces of the guide members. By rotating the shaft I52 in one direction or another, the guide members I18 and HI are moved toward or away from each other to provide a path of travel of the desired width. When the strip material I88 is drawn from the supply spool and across the tension bars I25, it is guided beneath the arm I38 by the guide roll I42 and guide members I18 and HI and along a path extending directly to the feed rolls and thence to the severing means or cutters I I2.

Referring to Figs. 9, 13 and 16, the severing means II2 comprise a stationary cutter or knife I15 (Fig. 16) bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to a block I18 disposed in an opening I18 in the front of the top wall I34, and a reciprocating knife I88 bolted or otherwise secured to one arm I 8I of a bell crank I82. Beyond the cutters is a guide roll I84 rotatably mounted in upstanding lugs I85 secured to the block I16. A delivery chute I86 is rigidly secured to the block I16 in alignment with the feeding rolls I38 and I35 so that strip materialIOB fed to the cutters passes under the guide roll I84 and drops into the chute I86 when sheared oif by the cutters.

The'feeding means I18 and severing means II2 are operated in timed relation to each other by an actuating mechanism disposed within the housing 2. Referring to Figs. 13, 14 and'16, the actuating mechanism is substantially the same as that of the previously described embodiment and comprises a cylindrical cam I88 mounted on one end of the shaft I 3! and a worm gear I92 (Figs. 13 and 14) keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft I3I and: disposed contiguous to the hub I9I of the cam. The gear. 182 meshes with a worm I94 (Fig. 13) carried by a drive shaft I85 which is continuously driven by a motor i815 connected thereto by a flexible coupling I88. The rear end of the motor shaft projects outwardly through an opening in the rear wall of the housing (Figs. 10 and 13) and supports a hand wheel I99 bymeans of which the motor, drive shaft and associated parts may be manually rotated so as to bring certain parts of the mechanism in a position to make adjustments hereinafter described. The operation of the motor is controlled by an electric switch disposed within a switch box 288 (Fig. 11) which is located on the side wall 281 of the housing, the operating lever 282 of the switch projecting downwardly from the switch box, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

The cam I98 is formed with a groove 283 which receives a, pin or follower 284 (Fig. 14) carried by the lower arm of the bell crank I82. The cam is so designed that one complete revolution effects areciprocation of the knife I88 from elevated position (Fig. 16) to shearing position and back to elevated position, such reciprocation taking place during a period less than one-half the time required for acomplete revolution of the cam. 1 I

The outer end of the cam carries an eccentric pin 285 (Fig. 14) which is connected by a link 286 toa crank 288 secured to one end of a shaft 2I8 which is journaled in bearings 2H and 2I2 secured'to the base. The shaft 2I8 extends from one side of the housing, beneath the drive shaft I85, to the opposite side of. the housing. The other end of the shaft 2 I 8 carries a crank arm 2 I 4 on which is slidably mounted a block 2I5 (Fig. 16). The block 2I5 is formed with a laterally projecting sleeveor collar 2I6 (Fig. 14) having a threaded bore which receives a set screw 2I8 whose. outer end is provided with a gripping pin 0 or dog 228 by means of which the set screw may be rotated to lock the block 2I5 at any position along the arm 2 I4. A connecting rod 222 is pivotally secured at one end to the sleeve 2I6 and at its opposite end to a rack 224 slidably mountedlongitudinally of the housing in a slideway 225 which is rigidly secured to the base or other parts of the housing. The rack 224 meshes with a pinion 228 rotatably mounted on shaft ISI and this pinion is secured to a one-way clutch mechanism designated by the numeral 228, (Fig. 14) the clutch mechanism preferably being of the type previously described and being associated with the feed roll I38 so that it is rotated step by step, in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 16), in response to reciprocation of the rack in one direction.

The parts are so designed that the feeding movement of the roll I38 takes place during the period between reciprocations of the knife I88, so that when the strip I88 is being advanced, the knife 188 is in elevated position (Fig; 16) and descends to shear off the strip when the feed roll I38 is at rest; The feeding movement is governed by the travel or stroke of the connecting rod and rack which, in turn, are governed by the position of the block 2I5 relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft 2I0. Hence,by loosening the set screw 2I8 and sliding the block 2I5 along the arm 2 I4, toward or away from the shaft 2I0,, the travel of the rack may be decreased or increased and in this manner the feeding movement of the roll I30 may be varied as desired.

In order to provide for such adjustment the side wall 20I is formed with a vertically extending slot 230 (Figs. 11, 13, 14 and 16) in alignment with the arm 2 I4 when in vertical position, the width of theslotbeing sufficient to permit a socket wrench 232 (Fig. 15) to be inserted so as to tighten or loosen the set screw 2I8 and move the block 215 along the arm M4 to the desired position. In making such adjustment the arm 2I4 is first brought into a vertical position by manually rotating the hand wheel I99.

As the feeding operation is intermittent, it is.

desirable to provide means for preventing the roll I30 from over-running and to this end I provide a brake device which comprises a fiber brake shoe 235 (Fig. 14) which engages the inner face of the feed roll I30, the brake shoe be-' ing secured to one end of a brake lever 236 fulcrumed at 238 to an upstanding bracket 240 which is secured to the base. A guide pin 24I, secured to the bracket 240, holds thelever 235 in position and a thumb screw 242, mounted on an arm 243 which is secured to the bracket 240; carries a spring 244 which yieldingly urges the lever 235 toward the feed roll I30, thus yieldingly holding the brake shoe. 235 in engagement with l the feed roll I30.

In order to prevent backward movement of the feed roll I30, due to the drag of the strip material, a ratchet wheel 246 (Figs. 13, 14 and 16) is secured to the inner face of the feed roll and a plurality of detents or pawls 248 having different lengths are pivotally secured to the bracket 240 so as to cooperate with the ratchet wheel 246. A leaf spring 249 secured to the top of the bracket 240 holds the pawls in engagement with the ratchet wheel. The difference in length between the longest and shortest pawl isless than the circumferential distance between theiteeth of the ratchet wheel, so that any backward movement of the-ratchet wheel and feed roll is limited to a small fraction of the circumferential distance between the teeth, which is negligible from a practical standpoint.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 14, the operation of the machine is controlled by a slide bar 250 mounted on the outside of the wall 20I of the housing. The slide bar 250 is formed with spaced slots 252 (Fig. 11) which receive screws 253 or like elements which slidably support the bar 250 for movement longitudinally of the housing, and an upstanding arm 255 integral with the bar 250 and contiguous to the face of wall 20I provides a closure for the slot 230. The rear end of the slide bar 250 is formed with a pair of outwardly projecting lugs 256 (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) which receive the switch lever 202, and the opposite end of the slide bar is provided with an operating handle 258 by means of which the slide bar may be slid from one position to another. The parts are so designed that when the slide bar is slid from its forward position (wherein the closure 255 is clear of the slot 230 and the switch lever 202 is in off position, as shown in Fig. 11) to its rearwardposition, the switch is thrown on and the closure 255 moved to a position wherein it closes the slot 230. With this construction and arrangement the motor can not be put into operation when adjustments are being made as the socket wrench 232, when inserted through the slot 230, blocks the movement of the closure 255 and hence prevents the switch from being thrown on.

In order to determine the setting of the feed actuating mechanism, I provide means for indicating the position of the block 2I5 relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft 2I0, and to this end a scale or index 260 (Fig. 11) is secured to the rearward side of the slot 230 and a pointer 25!, cooperating with the scale 260, is pivotally mounted on the opposite side of the slot so that it may be supported by the socket wrench 232 when inserted through the slot, as shown in Fig. 11. When the arm 2I4 is brought to a vertical position, that is, in alignment with the slot 230, and the socket wrench 232 is in engagement with thehead 220 of the set screw 2 I8, the pointer 26I may be rotated to a position wherein it is supported by the wrench 232, indicating the position of the block relative to the axisof the shaft 2) (Fig. 11) which position, as previously pointed out, determines the feeding movement of the roll I30. Hence, the pointer indicates on the scale 260 the particular feeding movement of roll I30 for any position of adjustment of the block 2I5 on the arm 2I4, and accordingly the scale 260 may be graduated in units of or designating the linear feed of theroll I30 for each actuation of the rack 224. 1 V

In operating the machine the strip material I08 is first drawn from the spool I I4, under and over the tensioning bars I25, thence along under the guide roll I42 andbetween the guide members I and Hi to the rolls I30 and I35, the latch I50 being releasedso as to permit the arm I38 to be swung upwardly to facilitate feeding the strip between the rolls I30 and I35. The latch I50 may then be replaced and the nuts I54 and I55 (Fig. 17) adjusted in accordance with the thickness of the strip. material so thatthe presser roll I35 is held in proper position relative to the feed roll I30. adjustments, the block 2I5 may be adjusted in a manner previously explained-so as to produce the desiredlinear feed. The machine may then be set in operation by sliding the bar 255 rearwardly.

When the machine is in operation, the cam I90 is continuously driven and for each rotation of the cam, the cutters are actuated. The feed roll I30 being driven by mechanism actuated by the cam, necessarily operates in timed relation to the cutters and, as previously explained, the actuating mechanism associated with the feed I30 is so designed that the feeding movement takes place only between successive actuations of the cutters. Thus, when the knife I80 is in elevated position (Fig. 1'1), the feed roll I30 is operated to advance the strip I8 a predetermined distance beyond the knife I15, whereupon the feed roll stops and the knife I80 descends to shear off the strip. As soon as the knife I80 is raised, the feed roll againoperates to advance the strip I 08 .a predetermined distance beyond the knife I15.

Either before or after making these" The strip I08 after passing the knife I15, strikes shape, proportion and arrangement of parts; as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, may be made without departing from, the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

Iclaim:

11. Apparatus for cutting strip material for shoes, comprising feeding means to intermittently advance the end of an; elongate strip a predetermined distance, and severing means tointermittently out a segment from the end of said strip, said severing means comprising'a bell crank pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a fixed fulcrum, a, cutting blade secured to saidbell crank adjacent one end thereof, a follower secured to said bellcrank adjacent the other end thereof, a cylindrical cam having a groove engageable with said follower, and means for rotating said cam, said cam and follower beingconstructed and arranged: to cause said bell crank to reciprocate about said fulcrum during revolution of the cam thereby causing said cutting blade to intermittently'cuta segment; from the end of said elongate strip, said feeding-means being operated'automatically when said cutting blade is out of-'sever ing, engagement with said strip.

'2. Apparatus for cutting, strip, material for. shoes-,fcomprising feeding means-to intermittently advance'the end; of an elongate strip a predetermined distance, adjusting means associated withsaid feeding means to vary the distance which the end of said strip is advanced during each intermittent action of the feeding means, and severing means, to: intermittently cut a segment from' the end ofsaid? strip, said, severing means com prising a bell crankpivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a fixed fulcrum, a cutting blade secured to said bell= crank: adjacent one end: thereof, a follower secured to said bell crank adjacent the other end thereof, a, cylindrical camhavinga groove engageable with said follower, and means forrotating said cam, said. cam and follower being, constructed and arrangedto cause said'bell crank to reciprocate about said fulcrum during revolution of the cam thereby causing said cutting blade tointermittently cut a segment from; the end of said elongate strip, said feeding means being operated automatically-when said, cutting blade; is out of-severi-ng engagement with said strip.

3; Apparatus for cutting; strip material for shoes comprising severing; means, operative to 'cut a length of stripmaterial, a, motor foroperating said severing means, and feedingmeans for advancing said strip material-to said severing means,

said feeding means including cooperating rolls, a; reciprocating arm associated with said motor so as to. be reciprocated thereby, a block adjustably" mounted on said arm, a clutch associated: with one oflsaid rolls for rotating it in strip ad vancing direction, and connecting means between j said block and clutch. operative to. efiect rotation of said roll in strip advancing direction in response tov reciprocation of said arm in one direction. 4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a housing having an opening in one Wall, feeding and severing meansrfor cutting off predetermined;

vary the feeding movement of the feeding means, r

means insertable through said opening, to, adjust the, position of said member, and index means including a scale and a pointer pivotally mounted to cooperate with the adjusting means so as to indicate on said scale the feeding movement of said feeding means for any position of adjustment of said member.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a housing having anopening in one wall, feeding and severing'means for-cutting ofi predetermined lengths ofstrip material, and mechanism for operating said. feeding'and severing means located within said housing, said mechanism including an adjustable member located adjacent to said opening and movable from one position to another to vary the feeding movement of the feeding means, means insertable through said opening to adjust the position of said member, and index means including a scale extending along the marginal portions at one side 'of the said opening and a pointer pivotally mounted on the opposite side of said'opening so as to cooperate with said adjusting means. when inserted through said opening to indicate the. feeding movement of said feeding means for any position of adjustment of said member.

6,1 Apparatus of the class described comprising a housinghaving an elongate slot in one wall, feeding andsevering means for cutting off predetermined lengths. of strip material; and mechanism for operating, said feeding and severing means located; within said housing, said mechanismincluding a motor, an adjustable member located adjacent to said slot and movable in approximately the same general direction as the longitudinal extent of said slot to varythe feeding-movement of the feeding means, means insertable through said slot to adjust the position of-said member, a switch lever for said motor located on the outside of said housing, a closure for said slot movable to closed position only upon the removal of said adjusting means from said slot, and connections between said closure and switch operative to actuate the switch in response to closing movement of said closure.

7. Apparatus of theclass described comprising a .housinghaving an elongate slot in one wall,

feeding and severing-means for cutting off pre-. determined lengths of stripmaterial, and mechanism for operating said feeding and severing means located within said housing, said mecha- 0 nism includinga motor, an adjustable member located adjacent to said slot and movable in ap-- slidably mounted to move to a position closing said slot only upon the removal of said adjusting means, and an arm connecting said closure and switch, said arm being operative to actuate 'the switchin response to closing movement of said closure.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising severing means operative to cut a length of strip material, and feeding means for advancing said strip material, to said severing means, said feedl end of said arm and arranged to guide strip material under said arm, and a spring-pressed releasable latch engaging said a'rm between its pivotal support and said presser roll, said latch being effective yieldingly to urge said presser roll into engagement with said fixed roll.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising severing means operative to cut a length of strip material, and feeding means for advancing said strip material to said severing means, said feeding means comprising afixed roll, means for rotating said fixed roll, an arm pivotally mounted at one end to swing toward and away from said fixed roll, a presser roll rotatably mounted at the free end of said arm and arranged to swing toward and away from said fixed roll and to cooperate therewith in feeding strip material to said severing means, a shaft rotatably mounted beneath said arm, and means carried by said shaft for guiding strip material along a path extending beneath said arm and toward said rolls.

10 Apparatus for cutting strip material for shoes, comprising feeding means to intermittently advance the end of an elongate strip a predetermined distance, and severing means to intermittently cut a segment from the end of a said strip, said severing means comprising a bell crank pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a fixed fulcrum, a cutting blade secured to said bell crank adjacent one end thereof, a follower secured to said bell crank adjacent the other end thereof, a cylindrical cam having a groove engageable with said follower, and means for rotating said cam, said cam and follower being constructed and arranged to cause said bell crank to reciprocate about said fulcrum during revolution of the cam thereby causing said cutting blade to intermittently cut a segment from the end of said elongate strip, said feeding means comprising a feed roll and a presser roll which yieldably grip said strip, a ratchet wheel attached to said feed roll and rotatable therewith, a pinion mounted for rotation in both directions adjacent said ratchet Wheel, a pawl mounted on said pinion and engageable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel during rotation of the pinion in one direction only, a rack having teeth engageable with the teeth of said pinion, a link pivotally attached to said rack, a shaft mounted for rotation in both directions about its axis, an arm attached to one end of said shaft and extending radially therefrom, a sleeve slidable longitudinally of said arm, releasable means for holding said sleeve on said arm at any desired radial distance from the axis of said shaft, a pivotal connection between said sleeve and said link, and means for rotating said shaft back and forth a predetermined number of degrees about its axis, the rotation of said shaft being timed to revolve said pinion in the direction in which said pawl is engageable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel when said cutting blade is out of severing engagement with said strip.

11. Apparatus for cutting strip material for shoes, comprising feeding means to intermittently advance the end of an elongate strip a predetermined distance, and severing means to intermittently cut a segment from the end of said strip, said severing means comprising a bell crank pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a fixed fulcrum, a cutting'blade secured to said bell crank adjacent one end thereof, a follower secured to said bell crank adjacent the other end thereof, a cylindrical cam having. a groove engageable with said follower, and means for rotating said cam, said cam and follower being constructed and arranged to cause said bell crank to reciprocate about said fulcrum during revolution of the cam thereby causing said cutting blade to intermittentlycut a segment from the end of said elongate strip, said feeding means comprising a feed roll and a presser roll which yieldably grip said strip, a ratchet wheel attached to said feed roll and rotatable therewith, a pinion mounted for rotation in both directions adjacent said ratchet wheel, a pawl mounted on said pinion and engageable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel during rotation of the pinion in one direction only,

a rack having teeth engageable with the teeth of said pinion, a link pivotally attached to said rack, a shaft-mounted for rotation in both directions about its axis, two arms one attached to each end of said shaft and extending radially therefrom, a pivotal connection between one of said arms and said link, a second link pivotally connected to the other arm, a pivotal connection between the second link and the end of said cylindrical cam, said pivotal connection being located at a lesser radial distance from the axis of said cam than the radial distance between the axis of said shaft and the pivotal connection between the second link and its adjacent arm, whereby said shaft is rotated back and forth a predetermined number of degrees about its axis during each revolution of said cam, said cam groove and which said pawl is engageable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel while said cutting blade in out of severing engagement with said strip.

'12. Apparatus for cutting strip material for shoes, comprising feeding means to intermittently advance the end of an elongate strip a predetermined distance, and severing means to intermittently cut a segment from the end of said strip, said severing means comprising a bell crank pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a fixed fulcrum, a cutting blade'securedto said bell crank adjacent one end thereof, a follower secured to said bell crank adjacent the other end thereof, a cylindrical cam having a groove engageable with said follower, and means for rotating said cam, said cam and follower being constructed and arranged to cause said bell crank to reciprocate about said fulcrum during revolution of the cam thereby causing saidcutting blade to intermittently cut a segment from the end of said elongate strip,*said feeding means comprising a feed roll and a presser roll which yieldably grip said strip, a ratchet wheel attached to said feed engageable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel during rotation of the pinion in one direction only, a rack having teeth engageable with the teeth of said pinion, a link pivotally attached to said rack, a shaft mounted for rotation in both directions about its axis, two arms one attached to each end of said shaft and extending radially therefrom, a pivotal connection between one of said arms and said link, means to adjust said pivotal connection at different distances on said arm from the axis of said shaft, a second link pivotally connected to the other arm, a pivotal connection between the second link and the end of said cylindrical cam, said pivotal connection being located at a lesser radial distance from the second link'and the end of the cam being constructed (and arranged to revolve said pinion in the direction in which said pawl is engageable with the teeth of said ratchet wheel while 'said cutting blade is out of severing engagement with 5 said strip. v

HENRY B. LUPIEN. 

